








key: cord-315175-51wuz9i1
authors: Kaddam, Lamis; Babiker, Rasha; Ali, Sara; Satti, Shahinaz; Ali, Nour; Elamin, Maha; Mukhtar, Mowaia; Elnimeiri, Mustafa; Saeed, Amal
title: Potential Role of Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic) as Immunomodulatory Agent among newly diagnosed COVID 19 Patients: A structured summary of a protocol for a randomised, controlled, clinical trial
date: 2020-09-05
journal: Trials
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04707-2
sha: 
doc_id: 315175
cord_uid: 51wuz9i1

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the potential efficacy of Acacia Senegal extract Gum Arabic (GA) supplementation as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory dietary intervention among newly diagnosed COVID 19 Sudanese patients. To study the effect of GA on the level of cytokines, TNFα, IL8, IL6 IL10, CRP and the viral load. Secondary outcomes will be the effect of GA oral intake on mortality rate and days of hospital admission. TRIAL DESIGN: Quadruple blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial Phase II & III. Prospective, two-arm, parallel-group, randomised (1:1 allocation ratio) superiority trial of oral GA among seropositive COVID-19 patients. PARTICIPANTS: Inclusion criteria: COVID-19 infected (newly diagnosed) as proved by real-time PCR within 72 hours of PCR. Age 8-90 years Both genders Exclusion criteria: Intubated patients on parenteral treatment Allergy to Gum Arabic The study will be conducted in COVID Isolation Centres and Soba University Hospital Khartoum State Sudan. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Experimental: Intervention Group This arm will receive 100% natural Gum Arabic provided in a powder form in 30-grams-dose once daily for four weeks Placebo Comparator: Control group: This group will be provided with pectin powder provided as one-gram-dose once daily for four weeks Both GA and placebo will be in addition to standard care treatment based on local clinical guidelines. MAIN OUTCOMES: Mean change from baseline score of Immune Response to end of the trial. Changes of the level of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNFα), interleukin IL8, IL6, and IL10 from the baseline values (Four weeks from the start of randomization). Mortality rate: The percentage of deaths among COVID 19 patients received Gum Arabic compared to placebo (Four weeks from the start of randomization]). RANDOMISATION: Randomization (1:1 allocation ratio) and will be conducted using a sequence of computer-generated random numbers by an independent individual. Each participating centre will be assigned a special code generated by the computer. The randomization will be kept by the PI and a research assistant. BLINDING (MASKING): Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): 110 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to either GA (n=55) or placebo (n=55) groups. TRIAL STATUS: Protocol Version no 2, 30(th) June 2020. Recruitment will start on 15(th) September 2020. The intended completion date is 15(th) January 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04381871. Date of trial registration: 11 May 2020. FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Health.

• Experience in research -19) is caused by SARS-COV2 and represents the causative agent of a potentially fatal disease caused global public concern. The disease spreads rapidly compared to the previous pandemics, which makes it more difficult to contain. Due to this, there is an urgent need for fast diagnosis, preventive and therapeutic measures. Patients infected with COVID-19 showed higher leukocyte numbers, abnormal respiratory findings, and increased levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines. Main mechanism for ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) is the cytokine storm, uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response resulting from the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The cytokine storm will trigger a violent attack by the immune system to the body, cause ARDS and multiple organ failure, and finally death in severe cases. Current investigations, demonstrated that T cell numbers are negatively correlated to serum IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α concentration, and proposed T cells as potential therapeutic trget.

Butyrate, is an epigenetic regulator via its capacity to act as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. This may be directly relevant to the modulation of covid-19 infection. Although data on the biological interactions of covid-19 with human physiology have still to be published, HDAC inhibition is a common regulator of the effects of many viruses, including the influenza virus. The inhibition o fHDAC1, as induced by butyrate, decreases influenza-driven pneumonia infections.

Gum Arabic (GA) is a safe dietary fibres approved by FDA and WHO. It is high molecular weight polysaccharide retrieved from Acacia Senegal and Acacia Seyal trees. GA fermentation produced short chain fatty acids mainly propionate and butyrate. Gum Arabic has anti-inflammatory effect which has been investigated in various diseases and conditions. Scientific Background: COVID 19 Pathogenesis: COVID 19 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-COV2 and represents the causative agent of a potentially fatal disease that is of great global public health concern(1, 2).

Patients infected with COVID-19 showed higher leukocyte numbers, abnormal respiratory findings, and increased levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines(1-3). Additionally, a value of 16.16 mg/L of blood C-reactive protein was noted which is above the normal range (0-10 mg/L) (2) . Patients infected with COVID-19 showed higher leukocyte numbers, abnormal respiratory findings, and increased levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines. Significantly high blood levels of cytokines and chemokines were noted in patients with COVID-19 infection that included IL1-β, IL1RA, IL7, IL8, IL9, IL10, basic FGF2, GCSF, GMCSF, IFNγ, IP10, MCP1, MIP1α, MIP1β, PDGFB, TNFα, and VEGFA(1) The latest report shows the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients significantly is reduced, Similarly, the acute phase response in patients with SARS-CoV is associated with severe decrease of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells (3) . The report in Lancet shows ARDS is the main death cause of COVID-19. Of the 41 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients admitted in the early stages of the outbreak, six died from ARDS(3). Main mechanism for ARDS is the cytokine storm, the deadly uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response resulting from the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines (3).The cytokine storm will trigger a violent attack by the immune system to the body, cause ARDS and multiple organ failure, and finally lead to death in severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection(1, 2) . IFN-I(IFN-α and IFN-β) has a protective effect on SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection, but the IFN-I pathway is inhibited in infected mice (4) . n Number of total T cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were dramatically reduced in COVID-19 patients, especially among elderly patients (≥60 years of age) and in patients requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (3) . Statistical analysis demonstrated that T cell numbers are negatively correlated to serum IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α concentration, potential therapeutic targets preventing cytokine storm.

Gum Arabic fermentation increased the level of serum butyrate. Butyrate, including in its nutraceutical form, sodium butyrate, is an epigenetic regulator via its capacity to act as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. This may be directly relevant to the modulation of covid-19 infection (5) . Although data on the biological interactions of covid-19 with human physiology have still to be published, HDAC inhibition is a common regulator of the effects of many viruses, including the influenza virus. The inhibition of HDAC1, as induced by butyrate, decreases influenza-driven pneumonia infections (5) Gum Arabic (GA) is a safe dietary fibres approved by FDA and WHO (6) . It is high molecular weight non-starch polysaccharide retrieved from Achaia Senegal and Achaia Seyal trees (6, 7) . GA is mainly fermented by colonic bacteria instead of been digested among humans(8) and animals (6, 7) . GA fermentation produced short chain fatty acids mainly propionate and butyrate (6) (7) (8) . The latter discovered as physiological modifier for different body function like modulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, regulation of angiogenesis and inflammation (9) . Gum Arabic antiinflammatory effect has been investigated in various diseases and conditions (10) (11) (12) . GA exerted local anti-inflammatory effects by modifying nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) on the small intestine (13) .

Gum Arabic anti-inflammatory effect has been investigated in clinical trials (10, 12) . An antiinflammatory effect of GA was demonstrated via the application of GA in drinking water given to rats with diabetes mellitus by a decrease of TNFα and IL-1β and increase of IL-10 (14). Interestingly, Bovo et al. investigated the effect of GA on the complement system, as arabinogalactans are reported to be complement system modulators. The authors showed a pro-inflammatory activity of GA by activation of the classical and alternative pathways of the complement system (15) . GA exerted local anti-inflammatory effects by modifying nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) on the small intestine (12) . In addition, a reduction of oxidative stress was shown after GA supplementation of drinking water in the liver tissue of rats with type I diabetes (16 ) and oral GA supplementation in humans suffering from sickle cell anemia (17) . GA significantly increased oxidative burst/ROS production of bovine and human granulocytes in a dose-dependent manner (18, 19) . Similarly, arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) of GA may have proinflammatory properties on certain parts of the immune system (18, 20) .

From all the above the main pathogenesis of COVID 19 is due to inflammatory process and cytokine storm. Gum Arabic is a prebiotic dietary fibers with proven anti-inflammatory properties and immunemodulatory agent. Nowadays, most of research have carried out on corona-virus are in the primary stages and the exact mechanisms remains unknown, infection spread and deaths are increasing in daily bases, the urge for vaccine and protective elements against the immunological response of the body against the virus is needed.

A novel corona virus from Wuhan in central China, named 2019-nCoV, has recently caused an epidemic of pneumonia in humans and posed a huge threat to global public health. To the Date according to national ECDPC -nCoV has led to more than 2744744 cases including 195387 deaths. Which put heath system word wide in great challenge because no licensed vaccine and specific treatment. Identification of natural products with direct antimicrobial effects or also immunomodulatory effects to boost the innate immune defense is a promising strategy to identify and characterize new treatment or prevention strategies. GA is a well-known traditional herbal medication from Acacia Senegal. Gum Arabic is prebiotic agent, with immune modulator properties. Enhancing natural immunity and ameliorate the cytokines storm, will be of great benefits for COVID 19 patients to overcome the disease.

Explore the role of Gum Arabic as immune modulator among COVID 19 Sudanese patients. 

The subjects, after stratification by age and sex, will randomly assigned to receive coded and indistinguishable Gum Arabic or placebo. Randomization will be conducted by using a sequence of computer-generated random numbers by independent individual.

Each participating center will be assigned a special code generated by the computer. The randomization will be kept by the PI and a research assistant. The assessor for clinical outcomes would be blinded to the randomization status. The research staffs who perform the intervention would not know the assessment results. After the eligibility assessment by viral screening, laboratory and clinical assessments would be conducted at the baseline (after completion of informed consent), at first, second and 4th week Gum Arabic administration:

GA in powder form, it is a 100% natural extract powder produced mechanically from the wildly grown Acacia Senegal tree with a particle size less than 210 μm. The daily dose is 45 gram per day. It will be given in one sachet to be consumed in the early morning dissolved in 200 ml of water. The GA will be provided to the participants weekly for four weeks (7 sachets for each visit). Standardized questionnaire and check list will be used to collect data about patients' physical examination, weight, height, severity of the symptoms and any side effects. Gum Arabic will be purchased from nature gum company, Khartoum Sudan.

Placebo will be pectin one gram per day. It will be given in one sachet to be consumed in the early morning dissolved in 200 ml of water for 4 weeks.

The procedures for screening will be performed within one week before dosing, except where otherwise stated, and included the following: iii. ELISA for cytokines Study protocols:

Each patient will receive daily dose

The patients will be followed every week and the following investigation will be done during the visit for follow up: CBC, and urine analysis. LFT and RFT will be done weekly Blood samples will be collected by certified nurse and will be used solely for the research purposes and will be destructed after completing the project. 

Data will be collected and coded and entered in excel sheet.

SPSS .24 and Graph prism will be used. Paired t test will be used to determine statistical significance between baseline and post treatment results. P equal to or less than .05 will consider statistically significant. Data will be presented as means (±SD).

• References:

• Annexes:

-Ethics consideration -‫البحث‬ ‫بروتوكول‬ 

Molecular immune pathogenesis and diagnosis of COVID-19

The epidemiology and pathogenesis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

Reduction and functional exhaustion of T cells in patients with coronavirus disease

Regulation of interferon production as a potential strategy for COVID-19 treatment

Psychological Stress and Covid-19: Interactions with Gut Microbiome and Circadian Rhythm in Driving Symptom Severity

The regulatory and scientific approach to defining gum arabic (Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal) as a dietary fibre

Applications of natural polymer gum arabic: a review

Butyric acid from the diet: actions at the level of gene expression

Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) on C

Gum arabic reduces C-reactive protein in chronic kidney disease patients without affecting urea or indoxyl sulfate levels

Gum Arabic Fibers Decreased Inflammatory Markers and Disease Severity Score among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Phase II Trial

Modulation of rat intestinal nuclear factor NF-κB by gum Arabic. Digestive diseases and sciences

Gum Acacia improves renal function and ameliorates systemic inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats with adenine-induced chronic kidney disease

Modulating effects of arabinogalactans from plant gum exudates on human complement system

Protective effect of long term administration of gum Arabic on oxidative stress in hepatic tissue of diabetic rats

Gum Arabic as novel anti-oxidant agent in sickle cell anemia, phase II trial

Protective effect of arabic gum against acetaminopheninduced hepatotoxicity in mice

Gum Acacia improves renal function and ameliorates systemic inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats with adenine-induced chronic kidney disease

Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Effect of Gum Arabic on Human and Bovine Granulocytes Against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli



